oversimplification
/ˌəʊvəˌsɪmplɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌəʊvərˌsɪmplɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/ (ame, ipa)
oversimplification — noun
- oversimplificationsingular
- oversimplificationsplural
1. a short or easy explanation that leaves out so much that it gives a false pictur
a short or easy explanation that leaves out so much that it gives a false picture of what is really true
Shanti called the news report an oversimplification of the long border dispute.
call X an oversimplification of Y
Saying that money causes all wars is a gross oversimplification of history.
gross oversimplification of [topic]
The textbook offers a dangerous oversimplification of how vaccines work in the body.
Cyrus warned that a one-line summary would be an oversimplification of the court ruling.
Coach Soraya said blaming the loss on one goalkeeper mistake was an oversimplification.
- generalization
broader statement applied to many cases; not always misleading
- reduction
more neutral; just means cutting something down, not necessarily wrong
- caricature
stronger and more mocking; an exaggerated, distorted version
- nuanced account
an explanation that keeps the small but important differences
文法句型
that is an oversimplification
call something an oversimplification
a gross / dangerous / crude oversimplification
用法筆記
Frequently appears in the frame 'be an oversimplification (of X)' to push back on a claim a speaker considers too easy. Usually critical: naming something an oversimplification signals the speaker thinks important details have been left out.
常見錯誤
2. the process of cutting down a complicated subject so much that the shorter versi
the process of cutting down a complicated subject so much that the shorter version is no longer accurate
Wei warned the students against the oversimplification of climate science in social media posts.
the oversimplification of [field of knowledge]
Professor Ignacio's lectures avoid both heavy jargon and the oversimplification of difficult ideas.
avoid the oversimplification of [ideas]
Headlines often lead to oversimplification of legal cases the public never reads in full.
Dario's essay criticized the oversimplification of the war's causes in school textbooks.
Even careful writers risk oversimplification when they explain a new theory in one paragraph.
- reductionism
more academic; the habit of explaining complex things only through their basic parts
- dumbing down
informal and critical; suggests making content easier in a careless way
- elaboration
adding detail and explanation instead of stripping it away
文法句型
the oversimplification of [topic]
lead to oversimplification
avoid / risk oversimplification
用法筆記
Uncountable in this sense — no article. Treats oversimplification as an activity or tendency rather than a specific statement. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense talks about the process, while sense 1 names one particular short explanation that is misleading.